According to Syrian army, according to its own data, it continues in besieged rebel area Ostghuta. A commander said troops would only have to move a few kilometers to split rebel area into two parts. According to reports from various sides, soldiers captured six villages and towns on edge of enclave near Damascus at weekend. The Syrian Human Rights Observatory, which is close to opposition, shared that army was only three kilometres away from Duma. According to observers, Syrian army monitors about a quarter of region.

After weeks of bombardment, United Nations announced aid to civilian population. They would have been given permission by Syrian government to go to conquered territories, UN said. It was planned to start on Monday with distribution of relief goods and to bring with partner organizations a convoy with 46 truckloads of medical products and food for 27,500 people to Duma, largest city in Ostghuta. Overall, help is planned for 70,000 people.

According to observatory, civilians sought refuge from soldiers in underground hiding places. An activist spoke of a scorched earth policy. "People are moving away because of relentless bombardment."

The state television channel Al Ichbarijah reported that government forces had crossed a ditch and occupied a region of about twelve square kilometers, supported by gunfire and air raids. The thrust was a reaction to bombardment of Damascus and or government areas.

The rebels said y had launched a counterattack and sent fighters behind enemy lines. A spokesman for largest rebel group Army al-Islam said in a sound recording that opposition fighters had to withdraw from some areas in Ostghuta because of artillery fire and air strikes. The rebels regrouped and would continue ir struggle.

Macron and Ruhani want to cooperate

Ostghuta, with its total population of about 400,000, has been besieged, bombarded and bombed for months. Since mid-February, Syrian government forces with Russian support have been flying air raids on region, where rebels have been defending army for years. According to observatory, more than 640 civilians have been killed. A ground offensive has been underway for a few days. Despite a daily five-hour fire break, which was put into effect by Russia at beginning of week, army continued its advance.

Russia accuses rebels of preventing civilians from fleeing. The insurgents dispute this and designate corridor as part of an attempt to expel residents. The United Nations, five-hour ceasefire per day is too little. They want rest of Security Council to be implemented for whole of Syria.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Ruhani, to exert pressure on Syrian government. This must end ir "indiscriminate attacks on besieged population in Ostghuta", grant humanitarian access and bring out wounded, "Macron's office shared. In a telephone conversation, Macron and Ruhani agreed to work toger in coming days to provide necessary support to civilians and to implement a ceasefire demanded by World Security Council. British Prime Minister Theresa May and US president Donald Trump made Syria and Russia responsible for "heartbreaking suffering" of people in contested area.

Date Of Update: 05 March 2018, 12:02